Couple attacked in home in gated complex

Jen Lawson and Stephen Curran

Friday, Sept. 3, 2004 | 11:07 a.m.

A man and woman were attacked in their northwest Las Vegas home early this morning by three men who forced their way inside wielding semiautomatic weapons.

The home invasion robbery occurred on Lonesome Harbor Drive in the gated community of San Marino Circle, near Grand Teton Drive and Cimarron Road, about 12:30 a.m.

Metro Police said the male victim answered the door to find three men on his doorstep, saying someone threw their keys in the backyard, Metro Police said.

Then the men drew semiautomatic weapons and bound the man and woman. They attacked the woman and beat the man, then ransacked the house and stole money, police said.

Officers were called to the house about 1:30 a.m., roughly an hour after the attack occurred, Lt. Jeff Carlson of the sexual assault section said.

Carlson would not comment on what had been stolen or on the items' value. Three men, who were still at large this morning, fled the scene before officers arrived, he said.

"We're in the middle of a follow-up right now," Carlson said.

Carlson would not confirm if a sexual assault occurred after the three men entered the home, but said his detectives normally become involved in robbery cases that entail rape or other sexual assault.

The couple, whose names were not released this morning, appear to be in their mid-30s, he said. One of the victims was taken to University Medical Center for treatment of unspecified injuries and was released this morning.

No other injuries were reported.

Rudy Bautista, a retiree who lives across the street from where the crime occurred, said he was a victim of a home invasion in Northridge, Calif., several years ago.

"It brings back memories," he said. "We came here for retirement, for peace and quiet."

He had found that -- until today, he said.

"The fact that the people who live in this area are of different nationalities, different religions, it doesn't matter," Bautista said. "It's always 'good morning, good afternoon, good evening.' "

He described his current neighborhood as "an upscale area" but said he is not surprised home invaders targeted here because people who live in the area often have valuables.

The victims' home, which they purchased in 2001, is more than 3,500 square feet, according to county assessor records.

A man who lives across the street from the victim, who would only give his name as Chris, said he and his wife had a baby boy two weeks ago, which makes him more concerned about security.

"For something like this to happen, it shows what really matters in life and what you want to keep safe," he said.

Clarence Matsui, another neighbor, said he doesn't plan to take extra security measures in light of the attack, noting he probably would not answer the door at that hour. He called the crime "shocking."

Neighbors described the couple as kind and friendly. The man is a dentist, they said.

"They're the last couple in the world you would think this would happen to," Chris said.

Bautista said he often saw them in their yard "like any other typical family."

He said he thought the crime might have been carried out by someone who knew them "as a vendetta."

A motive behind the crime is still under investigation, Carlson said.